Slavisa Jokanovic insists Maccabi Tel Aviv can still reach the group stages of the Champions League despite a 2-1 home defeat in the third qualifying round against Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night.

The Czech champions sealed victory within the first 20 minutes with goals from Aidin Mahmutovic and Milan Petrzela at the Bloomfield Stadium.

Maccabi substitute Barak Itzhaki gave the hosts a glimmer of hope after pulling one back in the 79th minute but the Israelis have it all to do in next week's return leg.

Maccabi manager Slavisa Jokanovic said, "We are still alive and we have the players to win in the Czech Republic.

"We gave away goals cheaply and were not good enough for this level but we can improve."